Robin's commentary...
The next proposed route for the EmX [and increase vehicle congestion]is the West 6th & West 7th to West 11th.
The question that was asked of LTD is why can't you just use the buses that you already have and not build a special bus route.
To sum up their answer... Federal [tax] dollars are predominately earmarked for capital projects and cannot be reallocated to enhance existing bus service which is largely funded by local payroll taxes [advertising,ridership,etc.] which is impacted by the local economy.
so my opinion, the bottom line is that they're not trying to implement the service in order to improve transportation, it is because the carrot of federal money is hanging out there for them to go after.
But remember, no matter what the source of the funding whether it be federal or state, ultimately it comes from the same source.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Yeah!, lets get everyone out of the cars and use mass transit
Robin's commentary --
To all those people that are really pushing to "get us out of our cars" I just wanted to say that some of those people are really glad this coming Monday that we have cars as I was asked already by a coworker if they could get a ride to work because....
LTD WILL NOT OPERATE ON MEMORIAL DAY
So for those mass transit greenies who prefers to rely totally on mass transit...
I for one am going to make it to work on time Monday morning.
To all those people that are really pushing to "get us out of our cars" I just wanted to say that some of those people are really glad this coming Monday that we have cars as I was asked already by a coworker if they could get a ride to work because....
LTD WILL NOT OPERATE ON MEMORIAL DAY
So for those mass transit greenies who prefers to rely totally on mass transit...
I for one am going to make it to work on time Monday morning.
Friday, May 27, 2011
we can't fix potholes but we can come up with $640,000 for art for the I-5 bridge
the register guard --
The I-5 bridge over the Willamette River which will open in about two years from now will contain sculptures that will epict a river and canoe, and two baskets containing camas.
ODOT is using $640,000 in federal money to commission the three sculptures and that money will be used to pay for the artist design, make and install the works.
okay, this is one of the examples that just gets me fuming.
We are constantly inundated with the government crying that they do not have money for road maintenance, funding for police and fire and has to close or reduce bed size in jails.
HOWEVER they ALWAYS seem to find a way to come up with money for art.
SCREW THE ART... FIX THE DAMN ROADS!!!
When the economy gets better... we can always add art to the project later and besides, people driving through the area will be more impressed with well maintained roadway versus rough roads and pretty roadside ornaments.
the bottom line... like I have said before, "right pocket... left pocket... it's still the same pair of pants" or more importantly...
IT'S OUR MONEY... QUIT SPENDING IT FRIVOLOUSLY!!!
So next time that our government representatives decide that they would like to raise our taxes or add additional fees let us refer to all the money that is being spent for "art" or other pooh-pooh projects and let them know that we gave you some money... and this is how you spent it... now go away!
The I-5 bridge over the Willamette River which will open in about two years from now will contain sculptures that will epict a river and canoe, and two baskets containing camas.
ODOT is using $640,000 in federal money to commission the three sculptures and that money will be used to pay for the artist design, make and install the works.
okay, this is one of the examples that just gets me fuming.
We are constantly inundated with the government crying that they do not have money for road maintenance, funding for police and fire and has to close or reduce bed size in jails.
HOWEVER they ALWAYS seem to find a way to come up with money for art.
SCREW THE ART... FIX THE DAMN ROADS!!!
When the economy gets better... we can always add art to the project later and besides, people driving through the area will be more impressed with well maintained roadway versus rough roads and pretty roadside ornaments.
the bottom line... like I have said before, "right pocket... left pocket... it's still the same pair of pants" or more importantly...
IT'S OUR MONEY... QUIT SPENDING IT FRIVOLOUSLY!!!
So next time that our government representatives decide that they would like to raise our taxes or add additional fees let us refer to all the money that is being spent for "art" or other pooh-pooh projects and let them know that we gave you some money... and this is how you spent it... now go away!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
the Apocalypse...
Not as exciting as I thought it would be
Robin's commentary --
Except for an eruption of a volcano in Iceland, the 2011 end of times prediction made by American Christian radio host Harold Camping stated that on May 21, 2011 that God's elect people would be taken on this date with the end of the world to follow on October 21, 2011 was rather quiet considering Camping's prediction that there would be massive earthquakes across the world beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern.
I guess that means that if you don't show up for work on Monday... you have a valid excuse.
As for the rest of us... if you didn't get a chance to take the trip the first time, you'll get a second chance according to Sir Isaac Newton who proposed based on his calculations using figures from the Book of Daniel that the Apocalypse could happen no earlier than 2060.
as for the real date of the rapture... God only knows.
Except for an eruption of a volcano in Iceland, the 2011 end of times prediction made by American Christian radio host Harold Camping stated that on May 21, 2011 that God's elect people would be taken on this date with the end of the world to follow on October 21, 2011 was rather quiet considering Camping's prediction that there would be massive earthquakes across the world beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern.
"In Christian eschatology, the Rapture is a reference to the being caught up referred to in the Biblical passage 1 Thess 4:17, when in the End Times the Christians of the world will be gathered together in the air to meet Jesus Christ.-- Wikipedia
I guess that means that if you don't show up for work on Monday... you have a valid excuse.
As for the rest of us... if you didn't get a chance to take the trip the first time, you'll get a second chance according to Sir Isaac Newton who proposed based on his calculations using figures from the Book of Daniel that the Apocalypse could happen no earlier than 2060.
as for the real date of the rapture... God only knows.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
the rapture happens today at 3 p.m. Pacific Time
Robin's commentary --
the rapture happens today at 3 p.m. Pacific Time...
I wonder how many people are going to use that as an excuse to get out of work?
the rapture happens today at 3 p.m. Pacific Time...
I wonder how many people are going to use that as an excuse to get out of work?
Friday, May 20, 2011
do you think schools should be paid for out of local utility taxes?
The Oregonian --
Lake Oswego businesses and residences will see an increase in utility franchise fees for Northwest natural gas, Allied waste of Lake Oswego and Portland General Electric under a one-year plan approved by the city Council this week which is expected to generate about $807,000.
The increases which will take effect in January and August will increase the homeowners amount to about five dollars per month [$60 per year] which should help divert $2 million in city revenue to public schools.
Lake Oswego city counselors voted 4-3 to approve the fees.
the thing that really gets me angry is that they probably said to themselves, "it's just five dollars a month... anybody can afford that!"
the Eugene city income tax "bombed" big time sending a message to deaf ears that while we support the schools, we also do not have any money to spare.
the sad thing about all of this, is that the money is there, it has just been "budget" for other nonessential items.
Like the EmX bus, or the money required to be diverted for art projects, etc..
Like I have said many times before, "right pocket... left pocket... it's all the same pair of pants"
Meaning... you have to pick what is more important to you.
Do you want to send your kids to schools or have a fancy new bus system or in Portland's case light rail?
but you can't have both.
You decide
Lake Oswego businesses and residences will see an increase in utility franchise fees for Northwest natural gas, Allied waste of Lake Oswego and Portland General Electric under a one-year plan approved by the city Council this week which is expected to generate about $807,000.
The increases which will take effect in January and August will increase the homeowners amount to about five dollars per month [$60 per year] which should help divert $2 million in city revenue to public schools.
"Councilor Bill Tierney, who supported the proposal, said "it's the cleanest way of providing support for the schools."
Lake Oswego city counselors voted 4-3 to approve the fees.
the thing that really gets me angry is that they probably said to themselves, "it's just five dollars a month... anybody can afford that!"
the Eugene city income tax "bombed" big time sending a message to deaf ears that while we support the schools, we also do not have any money to spare.
the sad thing about all of this, is that the money is there, it has just been "budget" for other nonessential items.
Like the EmX bus, or the money required to be diverted for art projects, etc..
Like I have said many times before, "right pocket... left pocket... it's all the same pair of pants"
Meaning... you have to pick what is more important to you.
Do you want to send your kids to schools or have a fancy new bus system or in Portland's case light rail?
but you can't have both.
You decide
Randall Mario Poffo AKA "Macho Man" Randy Savage died to day....
Fox News --
wrestling superstar Randy "Macho Man" Savage died today after suffering a heart attack while driving and hitting a tree.
Savage's wife Lynn was also in the car but only suffered minor injuries.
Savage was 58
wrestling superstar Randy "Macho Man" Savage died today after suffering a heart attack while driving and hitting a tree.
Savage's wife Lynn was also in the car but only suffered minor injuries.
Savage was 58
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
given the recent events... would you vote for Barack Obama in 2012?
Robin's commentary --
Given the recent death of a Osama bin Laden by US forces, president Obama has been [of course] on the news taking credit.
of course, it is very difficult based on our government history to not think that there is some type of conspiracy behind this or the timing of bin Laden's death.
Obama's ratings have been very low and typically in the past when a sitting president had announced that he is running for another four years... you are constantly bombarded with news with people chanting "four more years" which I have not heard yet.
so I have to ask the question based on recent events, does that change your mind of who you're going to vote for in 2012?
In a recent poll by local TV station KVAL which asked the question, "which candidate do you support for President in 2012?"
Acknowledging that these polls are unscientific the results so far still surprise me.
As of this writing, president Obama is leading by 37%.
My feelings on Obama is disappointment. I was hoping that he would be "different" than the normal GOP BS that we've been offered.
John McCain, to me was just another "President Bush"
Hillary Clinton, I think the name says it all.
Barack Obama, made a good sale. "Hope and change"
As America, we bought the lemon and I'm hoping that this time around we have learned our lesson.
Given the recent death of a Osama bin Laden by US forces, president Obama has been [of course] on the news taking credit.
of course, it is very difficult based on our government history to not think that there is some type of conspiracy behind this or the timing of bin Laden's death.
Obama's ratings have been very low and typically in the past when a sitting president had announced that he is running for another four years... you are constantly bombarded with news with people chanting "four more years" which I have not heard yet.
so I have to ask the question based on recent events, does that change your mind of who you're going to vote for in 2012?
In a recent poll by local TV station KVAL which asked the question, "which candidate do you support for President in 2012?"
Acknowledging that these polls are unscientific the results so far still surprise me.
As of this writing, president Obama is leading by 37%.
My feelings on Obama is disappointment. I was hoping that he would be "different" than the normal GOP BS that we've been offered.
John McCain, to me was just another "President Bush"
Hillary Clinton, I think the name says it all.
Barack Obama, made a good sale. "Hope and change"
As America, we bought the lemon and I'm hoping that this time around we have learned our lesson.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Bike Portland--.
SB 130 which passed the full Senate (28-1)back in February adds green, yellow and red bicycle signals to the list of traffic control devices, amending ORS 811.260 and 811.360.
commenting about the benefits to drivers... committee chair representative Cliff Bentz stated...
bicyclist disobeying the new traffic control device would be subject to a $287 fine.
personally,I think Bentz is living in dreamland.
we already have laws in place in order to handle this type situation. Adding another traffic control device is just going to add more confusion and traffic delays.
However, if you want to follow that same logic... how bout a separate traffic control device for pedestrians because as you know it is definitely confusing to motorists when a pedestrian wanders back and forth from curb to curb and you don't know which curb or when there are going to step off.
Oh yes, I forgot... we already have one of those devices and we see how well people obey those.
speaking of predictability...
I was even backing a truck out of a customers driveway with a spotter stopping traffic for safety and a bike rider (you know, one of those professional bike riders that are all geared up with their fancy bike riding outfits)tried to ride underneath my trailer totally ignoring my helpers commands to stop and wait.
SB 130 which passed the full Senate (28-1)back in February adds green, yellow and red bicycle signals to the list of traffic control devices, amending ORS 811.260 and 811.360.
commenting about the benefits to drivers... committee chair representative Cliff Bentz stated...
"the benefits for the driver would be more predictability in intersections... by having a separated, dedicated signal, were able to stop the cyclists and have motorists move through the intersection without worrying about what the cyclists may or may not be doing... and of course vice versa."
bicyclist disobeying the new traffic control device would be subject to a $287 fine.
personally,I think Bentz is living in dreamland.
we already have laws in place in order to handle this type situation. Adding another traffic control device is just going to add more confusion and traffic delays.
However, if you want to follow that same logic... how bout a separate traffic control device for pedestrians because as you know it is definitely confusing to motorists when a pedestrian wanders back and forth from curb to curb and you don't know which curb or when there are going to step off.
Oh yes, I forgot... we already have one of those devices and we see how well people obey those.
speaking of predictability...
I was even backing a truck out of a customers driveway with a spotter stopping traffic for safety and a bike rider (you know, one of those professional bike riders that are all geared up with their fancy bike riding outfits)tried to ride underneath my trailer totally ignoring my helpers commands to stop and wait.
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